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Chocolate and Vanilla are the two most popular flavors when it comes to desserts. But, when you combine them into a chocolate and vanilla swirl, then your taste buds feel like they have landed in the sweetness heaven (and oh yeah, the brain freeze follows soon after.)

Now, after reading this, you might be wondering: “why is he using a chocolate and vanilla flavor analogy to describe the 2015 Acura TLX” OR “what is wrong with this author?”

Well, my answers to these questions are: “please bear with me and by the end, everything will make sense.”

Late last year, Acura officials announced that by the end of 2016, they will terminate both the TL and TSX and replace it with a new model range which blends the luxury offered by the TL and the performance offered by the TSX.

What’s New for 2015?

Last year when Acura announced that they will discontinue the production of both the TL (chocolate) and TSX (vanilla) and combine them into a whole new model range (chocolate and vanilla swirl), Acura enthusiasts nationwide started to freak out and began to wonder “what now?!”

However, after seeing the debut of the new TLX model range, Acura enthusiasts let out a collective sigh of relief and started breathing properly again knowing that the new TLX is a vast improvement over both the TL and the TSX.

It perfectly combines the two cars into one, advanced, fun-to-drive sports sedan.

Trim Levels

The 2015 Acura TLX comes in 7 trim levels and the starting price for a base model is around $32,000 while the price for a top-of-the-range model is around $45,000.

To be more specific, here is the list of all seven trim levels and their exact starting prices:

Base Model: TLX 2.4 8-DCT P-AWS ($31,445)

Next: TLX 2.4 8-DCT P-AWS with Technology Package ($35,500).

If you want more power, the 2015 Acura TLX can be optioned with a V-6 engine, with five trim levels. The final two trim levels will include all-wheel drive.

The base V-6: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS ($35,320)

Next: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Technology Package ($39,375)

Then: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package ($42,600)

Next: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT SH-AWD with Technology package ($41,575)

Finally: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT SH-AWD with Advance Package ($44,800)

The one we drove was a 2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package.

As for the 2015 Acura TLX with SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), my colleague Denis Flierl reviews it here.

Interior Options and Features

Acura and Japanese auto manufacturers in general are known for combining optional features into a simple and convenient package – which not only saves the consumer’s mind from going crazy, but it also saves them a sizable amount of money.

Regardless of the engine and transmission choices, the 2015 Acura TLX comes with the Technology and Advance Packages as optional.

The Advance Package includes all of the features in the technology package but adds collision mitigation braking system with head-up warning, road departure mitigation system, 3-point height adjustable seat belts with load limiters and a pre-tensioner system.

Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, heated and ventilated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and auto dimming side mirrors are also part of the Advance Package.

LED puddle lights, LED fog lights and remote engine start with vehicle feedback round out the list.

2015 Acura TLX Instrument Cluster

2015 Acura TLX Seating Arrangement

2015 Acura TLX Navigation Screen

Exterior & Interior Accessories

Owing an Acura vehicle is a unique experience in itself but if you want your TLX to be as unique as you are, Acura’s accessories department has you covered.

On the outside, the 2015 Acura TLX already looks aggressive and seems like it is ready to take on any of its German competitors. But, if you want your TLX to look even more sinister and unique, you can always add these additional accessories, among others.

Chrome Door Handles ($285)

Body Style Molding ($259)

19-inch Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels ($2,340)

Aero Kit ($1,632)

Inside, the cabin of the 2015 TLX is quite luxurious and sporty already, but again, if you have the spare change, you can make the cabin feel as comfortable as your living room.

You can option your TLX with these following interior accessories, among others.

All of the power from the engine is sent to the front wheels but it also offers P-AWS or Precision All Wheel Steering. At low speeds it enables the TLX to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels, thus making a sharp turn or corner a breeze.

However, the car in today’s review is a 2015 TLX with the optional 3.5 L naturally aspirated V-6 engine.

All of the power is either routed to the front wheels with the P-AWS system or to all four wheels via the SH-AWD system.

2015 Acura TLX Right Front LED Headlights

2015 Acura TLX Brake and Wheel Package

2015 Acura TLX Right Rear LED Tailights

Regardless of the drive-train choice, the sole transmission backing the V-6 is a new 9-speed torque converter automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

Fuel tanks on all TLX models hold up to 17.2 gallons of premium unleaded fuel. The EPA rates the TLX with the V-6 engine at 21 mpg city/34 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

On a full tank of premium fuel, the 2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package has a overall cruising range of 361 miles in city and 585 miles on the highway.

Driving Dynamics

The driving dynamics of the Acura TLX are a vast improvement over the previous TL and TSX models. As it was intended, the TLX combines the luxury offered by the larger TL while combining the performance capabilities of the smaller TSX into one, wonderful package.

Steering in the TLX is a rack and pinion unit and the feedback from the steering column is very satisfying. Like all sports sedans currently available on the market, the suspension setup on the TLX consists of a MacPherson struts up front with a multi-link suspension setup at the back.

Brakes on the TLX consist of 4 wheel discs with anti-lock braking (ABS) bringing the TLX to a safe and secure stop, with minimal brake fade, despite a couple cycles of heavy braking.

2015 Acura TLX Right Rear Three Quarters

The standard wheels on the TLX are 18-inch alloy, wrapped with 225/50R18 series rubber. Since this is a “sports sedan,” I was hoping that Acura would at least fit 235/40R18 series rubber in order to provide additional contact patch between the road and the vehicle, but for 95% of Acura TLX customers, the lack of tire width will not be that glaring of an issue.

Overall, the chassis of the new Acura TLX is much more enjoyable than the one which underpinned the TL. But, if you want a little more excitement from your Acura, then I would recommend that you buy the TLX with the optional SH-AWD system as it eliminates a majority of the torque steer.

Torque steer plagues the handling on the FWD version but aside from this small kink in performance and chassis setup, the TLX was a blast to drive around town and on the highway.

2015 Acura TLX Right Side Profile

2015 Acura TLX Right Rear Three Quarters

2015 Acura TLX Left Front Three Quarters

Conclusion

Remember the chocolate and vanilla swirl analogy that I started with? Well, the new TLX is like that awesome chocolate and vanilla swirl, which combines the best of both the chocolate (TL) and vanilla (TSX) into one delicious treat, err….. I mean an awesomely packaged sports sedan.

Is this car perfect?

Well, no, it isn’t.

But then again, can cars ever be perfect? To be quite frank, the entire auto industry is not perfect. That is why major automakers, from around the globe, hire engineers and designers to constantly update and refine their product lineups year after year.

We trust Edmunds.com to give us the best, up to date, and TRUE pricing of what people are really paying for their cars. Get a free dealer quote at Edmunds on this car:

The 2015 Acura TLX is a well packaged sports sedan with a very acceptable entry price point. Is this car meant for the hardcore sports car enthusiast? Not entirely – if you want something that handles like a go cart and has enough space for four adults and one child, then I would recommend a BMW 3 Series at the higher end or the Mazda 6 at the lower end of the sports sedan spectrum.

However, if you are in the market for a reasonably priced, reliable and fun-to-drive family sports sedan, with an infusion of luxury and refinement, then the 2015 Acura TLX should be at the top of your list.